National Grid awards $1.7 billion in contracts

National Grid, the largest utility in the Capital Region, has awarded $1.7 billion in contracts to two joint ventures to upgrade its transmission system in upstate New York and New England.

The company, which is based in the United Kingdom, has 8,600 miles of transmission lines and 1,000 substations in New York and New England.

The joint venture that will operate primarily in New York is called NorthEast Power Alliance. It is comprised of three companies: AMEC plc of Britain, Michels Corp. of Wisconsin and R.G. Vanderweil Engineers of Boston.